“We are journeying together in God’s love . . .
to discover, nurture and share our gifts.”
Advent III—Cantata
December 14, 2008
If you would like to stay seated for any or all of the “standing” parts of the service, please feel free to do so.
Prelude
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: A word to Mary from the angel, “Peace be with you!”
All: In the midst of the hurry and worry, we need God’s peace.
One: Mary is troubled by the message of the angel, and says so!
All: We are called to be open about our fears and concerns.
One: The angel reassures Mary, “Don’t be afraid, you have found favour with God.”
All: The coming of Jesus at Christmas is a sign that God’s love is with us and always will be.
Jesus, we will search among the most powerful nations, and not find you. We will search among the most religious men and women, and not find you. We will search among the momentous events of our time, and not find you. We will search high and low, in palace, government, and in church, and not find you. Jesus, you will surprise us. You will reveal yourself to us in an unexpected call for justice, in an unseen deed of compassion, and in a caring and empowered community.
Advent III: Candle of Peace (Responsive)
One: Last Sunday we lit the candle of Joy, the second Advent Candle.
All: We light it again, along with the candle of hope, which will always be brought to birth in,
through, and among, all creation.
One: The third Advent Candle is the Candle of Peace. In the stillness of our worship, here we light it, watching it burn and glow.
All: And we affirm that we are a people of faith seeking peace
amid the many other voices which surround us. Let us
remember that without Hope, Joy and Peace, people
struggle to find their way.
Advent Song
A candle is burning, a flame warm and bright,
a candle of hope in December's dark night.
While angels sing blessings from heaven's starry sky,
our hearts we prepare now for Jesus is nigh.
A candle is burning, a candle of joy,
a candle to welcome brave Mary's new boy.
Our hearts fill with wonder, and eyes light and glow
as joy brightens winter like sunshine on snow.
A candle is burning, a candle of peace,
a candle to signal that conflict must cease:
for Jesus is coming to show us the way;
a message of peace humbly laid in the hay.
Conversation Time
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
Prayer for Transformation & Words of Assurance
Each morning brings a newness that we need only step into. It can wash us, lift us, heal us, hold us just as each of us has need. May we be open to the power that lies dormant within us. May we be full with a deep confidence in seeing the hope in this day, everyday. May we move from the routines that we follow to the fullness of life we may live…(time for silent reflection)
Words of Assurance (One)
Hymn “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
Choir Cantata: “The Gift of Peace” Narrator: Anna Marie Hancock
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory
Dedication #55 “In the Bleak Midwinter” vs 4
What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give – give my heart.
Prayer of Dedication (One)
Hymn # 69 “Away in a Manger”
Commissioning (One)
Let us go from here seeking peace in all that we do. Amen.
Choral Amen
#298 “When You Walk From Here
When you walk from here, when you walk from here, walk with justice; walk with mercy, and with God’s humble care.
Postlude
The Life And Work Of The Congregation
This Week at Westminster (December 14 – December 20)
|
Sun. |
Worship - Advent III |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
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|
Cantata |
|
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|
Choral Choir Celebration |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Jr. Choir Practise |
11:45 a.m. |
Lounge |
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Thurs. |
Sr. Choir Practise |
7:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary
|
|
Fri. |
Christmas Caroling |
7:00 p.m. |
Memorial Hall Lounge/Kitchen |
Next Week at Westminster (December 21 – December 27)
|
Sun. |
Trustees meeting |
9:00 a.m. |
Shalom Room |
|
|
Worship – Advent IV |
10:30 a.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Christmas Pageant Jr. Choir Sings |
|
|
|
Tues. |
Prayer Shawl Ministry |
1:30 p.m. |
Lounge |
|
Wed. |
Family Candlelight Service |
6:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
|
Communion Service |
8:00 p.m. |
Sanctuary |
|
Thurs. |
Office Closed |
|
|
|
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No Senior Choir Practise |
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|
|
Fri. |
Office Closed |
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Friendship Rosters: Please sign the Friendship Roster this morning. It is a helpful record of your worship presence and a way to share special concerns (ie. Prayer requests, name tag requests, etc.)
Christmas Outreach This year we are collecting items for the Homeless Shelter. Some suggestions are: hats, mittens, scarf’s, socks, and all personal hygiene items. For our second outreach we are going global. We are collecting money to buy mosquito netting for children in developing countries to protect them from malaria. Please place your items around the Christmas tree and the twoonies and loonies etc. can be placed in the box provided. Next Sunday is our deadline for these gifts. Thank you for your generosity.
Do you need ideas for buying a gift for someone who has everything? If you would like to buy a gift and don't know what that would be, you could help by purchasing something for those in developing countries that would help them survive. These are some web sites you can go to, to see if there is something that you would like to buy. www.shopunicef.ca the link is gifts of magic. www.oxfamunwrapped.ca and catalogue.worldvision.ca. You can let the person for whom you are buying a gift know that you have bought a goat or pig or chicken in their name.
Thank you to all those who have donated items for the Holiday Fundraiser. The items will be displayed in the hall following worship with the draw taking place at 12 noon today. All proceeds will go toward the cost of the renovations. Thank you to everyone for your generosity!
Christmas Choral Celebration –Tonight, at 7:00 p.m. An evening hosted by our Senior Choir followed by coffee & goodies in Memorial Hall.
Other Christmas events for downtown Medicine Hat Church’s: see bulletin board by Memorial Hall.
Neighbourhood Congregational Caroling – this Friday at 7:00 p.m. We will gather in Memorial Hall. For those who are not able to walk around the neighbourhood, music and Caroling will be provided in the church by Chris White. Bring goodies to share. Hot chocolate and cider will be provided.
Gifts of Securities—A Win-Win for Both You and Westminster United Church A gift of securities is an easy and effective way to support Westminster United Church. If you donate publicly listed securities—be they stocks, bonds or mutual funds—you will pay no tax on the capital gains on those securities. You will also receive a charitable tax receipt for the full value of the securities donated. While supporting our church, this can also generate a significant tax credit for you. For example, a recent donor of BCE shares valued at $5,000 estimated she saved over $1,000 in tax on the capital gains, and in turn received a tax receipt for the full value of those shares that will generate even more savings on her next income tax return. For information, contact our Regional United Church Gift Planner Kathryn Hofley at (204) 943-4844 or khofley@united-church.ca or contact The United Church of Canada Foundation at 1-866-340-8223 or 416-231-7680, ext. 3011, or speak with one of our Planned Gift Program Committee: Dale Stein, Larry Henderson, Janice Croissant and John Sidlick. They will provide you with the easy to complete forms you need to enable your gift. Please consider this effective way of supporting Westminster United Church.
Kiwanis Christmas Dinner For Anyone Alone at Christmas Residents of Medicine Hat, Redcliff and District are invited to attend the Christmas Dinner December 25th at 1:00 p.m. Application forms may be obtained at the Veiner Centre, Strathcona Centre, Churches, Senior Citizen’s Homes, or Nursing Homes. For more information call Veiner Centre 403-529-8383 or Strathcona Centre 403-529-8307.
Your 2009 Offering Envelopes are available in the Narthex. The cost of the Observer is $14.00. When you pick up your envelopes, please confirm the 2009 number is the same as number you had in 2008. People on PAR were not issued envelopes and their number has been changed. Please do not use these envelopes, including the Observer envelope until the year 2009. Destroy your old unused envelopes in the New Year. Thanks for your cooperation. ~ Murray Bell.
Year 2008 Contributions: The deadline to contribute funds in the 2008 tax year is noon, December 30, 2008. The office will be closed at this time; however, there is a mail slot to the left of the burgundy doors (office entrance) where you may deposit your contributions. This slot will be emptied at noon on December 30th. Contributions received in person or by mail or left in the church mailbox after this time will be credited to the 2009 tax year.
The following books have been added to the Church Library’s collection: Pastoral Companionship: Ministry with Seriously Ill Persons and Their Families by Gerald J. Calhoun; The Future of the Bible: Beyond Liberalism and Literalism by Gerald T. Sheppard; Healing Death: Finding wholeness when a cure is no longer possible. By Dennis L. Zimmerman; A Match Made in Heaven: A Bible-Based Guide to Deepening Your Relationship with God by Nancy Reeves; Love, Medicine & Miracles by Bernie S. Siegel. Contact person is Jacquie Heard 403-527-1090.
Birthdays: Diana Davison, Darlene Widmer, Nicole Glasser, Bev Empey, Karli Schnell, Sabrina Henderson, Jim Cunnings, Wayne Adams, Jennifer Bergstreser, Doug Henderson.
Anniversaries: Dave & Myra Gerhardt.
Flowers are placed in the Sanctuary this morning in loving memory of, Stella & Raymond Clark by Sandra, Brenda & Families.
South Alberta Presbytery
Your prayers are requested for soup kitchens and food banks.
Sunday School Co-ordinators........................................................... Jackie Schlenker, Kim Hanson
Greeters & Ushers............................................................................ Gordon & Brenda Wallsmith
........................................................................................................ Joe Grindley, Carol & ......................................................................................... Murray Bell
Acting Nursery Convenor................................................................. Jackie Carlson
Coffee Hosts.................................................................................... Betty & John Sidlick,
........................................................................................................ Pat Evans, Janice Neigum
Elder-in-Charge................................................................................ Darcy Fox
Next Week’s Readings from: Luke 1:26-38, 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Luke 1:47-55 or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26, Romans 16:25-27.
Stewardship Thought For Today
Let us remember the gifts we have received from God, and in turn become God’s giving hands in this world.
By Kathie Murphy
Board Report
The Westminster Board of Elders met Tuesday December 9th and approved in principle a rental agreement for the Luyten Hall for 2009 & 2010. The board is planning a spaghetti supper for February 21, 2009 to continue raising funds for the completed renovations. The protective glass over the large stained glass window is now fixed. Respectfully submitted, Jackie Carlson, Acting Secretary.